Host Marines for Thanksgiving

The Marines assigned to the Marine Detachment have completed Boot Camp and are in the process of learning the skills needed to perform their everyday jobs in the Marine Corps. They are Marines, however they are on some restricted liberty policies that limit some of their wandering, but have proved to be successful in transitioning them from recruit, to full-fledged fleet Marines. For most of these young men and women this is their first time away from home during a traditional family holiday and they warmly welcome an opportunity to get off base and have a meal outside of the chowhall that is not fast food. Some may live close, or have the funds to fly home for the weekend, but for some of the others, they will be on base for the weekend. This is not to say that the base does not offer anything, but rather that we have the opportunity marry up our desire to give back to some young men and women who have volunteered to serve our country, a great information operations message about how great Oklahomans are, and help these Marines do something different for a weekend that could often be a lonely time for young adults so far away from home.

Last year we have the opportunity to get 33 Entry Level Marine out of the Barracks for Thanksgiving. I picked them up from Fort Sill and delivered them to the Church parking lot at 10:00 am. The Marines were then handed off to their host families for the day, and we met back at the church at 7:00 pm and I took them back to Fort Sill. I also gave each Marine and the host family my number in case there were any questions or problems (just a couple of questions and ZERO problems)

Every comment from last year was positive, and even one Marine exclaimed that it was his “Best Thanksgiving Ever!” Many of the Marine and church members are still in contact and communicate, allowing the family to follow the Marine through his or her career, and make positive influences in their life.

If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me. V/R Norman Crowe